Vodafone, O2 and EE to stock BlackBerry Classic

Three operators confirm that they will be stocking the handset but two will be marketing it to business customers only. Three confirms it will not

Vodafone, O2 and EE have both confirmed they will be stocking the BlackBerry Classic but for business customers only.

Vodafone said that while consumer customers would be able to order the handset, it would only be marketed to business customers. EE confirmed that it would be available to business customers only. O2 could only confirm it would be stocking the device.

Three, as the only operator to focus solely on consumers, will not be stocking the handset. Carphone Warehouse Business had previously opened pre-orders for the handset.

“I can confirm that Vodafone UK will be ranging the NEW BlackBerry Classic,” said a Vodafone spokesperson. “The device will be available to purchase through telesales, online, and in retail stores from early January for business customers.”

EE director of corporate business Ettienne Brandt added: “Many of EE’s business customers remain loyal to BlackBerry smartphones and trust them to keep their employees connected, productive, and secure while on the move.

“In adding the BlackBerry Classic to our range of smartphones for business, our customers can marry a powerful 4G smartphone with the power of the new BES12 cross-platform EMM Solution by BlackBerry and our Super Secure 4GEE plans to create a truly mobile, and secure, workforce.”

The handset is available to pre-order through the BlackBerry website for £349 and will launch on December 31. Selfridges are offering the phone for £329.